Culture shock and awe

Seven French students decided to forego Bastille Day celebrations en la patrie last month, in favor of spending three weeks to acquaint themselves with American culture.

Loisirs Culturels A l'Etranger - Cultural Endeavor Abroad - is a foreign exchange program that brings English-speaking students from France to the United States, where for three weeks they live with host families, participate in and learn about the American way of life. The French-based program made its way for the first time this summer to central New York, thanks to the efforts of Weedsport High School French teacher Melissa Brown.

“I want to bring the French language and culture closer to my students,” said Brown, whose first exposure to Loisirs came when she taught at West Genesee High School in Syracuse. To be sure, American and French teens saw they shared more in common than not; the perceived differences allowed for the most learning on both sides.